In around 1903, England must have
changed suppliers, as there were two significant differences to the shirts
that had been standard attire since 1880.

It is difficult to be absolutely
accurate in determining exactly when these shirts were worn, because a) the only
close-up photographs from the era were posed studio shots that do not always
reveal in which game the shirt was worn, and b) the pictures taken at games are
not usually clear enough to spot the distinguishing features of these shirts.

However, there is enough evidence to
suggest that this style was worn by the majority of players throughout this twenty-year
period. What sets it apart from the previous version are the buttoned-down
collar and the fact that there are only three buttons, instead of four, down the
front. Some examples appear to show a top button that is more akin to a metal
stud and there are also instances of breast pockets being worn on the left, with
the emblem sewn on to it. The shorts were still all shades of blue, depending on what each player
could bring to the party. This individuality included the occasional wearing of
belts to keep the often well-worn garments up. The socks, too, were, invariably,
different colours, though we would guess that most were blue or black.

It seems likely that England
continued to wear these shirts throughout the war years, but the short tour of
Austria and Hungary in 1909 is excluded from the list of matches below, purely
because there appears to have been
a different badge worn for
these games.

The photos above are of a shirt worn
in 1912 and they can be seen in more detail at
www.urmyhero.co.uk.

Matches in Which England Wore the
1903 Home White Shirt

*
these games are based on photographic evidence, the rest are presumed.